The OUHSC Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) has the charge of reviewing and approving the biological safety of all OUHSC and OU-Tulsa basic and clinical research activities involving recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid molecules*, gene transfer including transfer to humans, the generation of transgenic animals, microorganisms, viruses, and biological toxins. The definition of recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid molecule includes:

molecules that a) are constructed by joining nucleic acid molecules and b) that can replicate in a living cell, i.e., recombinant nucleic acids;

nucleic acid molecules that are chemically or by other means synthesized or amplified, including those that are chemically or otherwise modified but can base pair with naturally occurring nucleic acid molecules, i.e., synthetic nucleic acids, or

molecules that result from the replication of those described in either of the above.*

* Note that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules has identified criteria for some synthetic nucleic acids that are exempt from the NIH requirements. Specifically, synthetic nucleic acids molecules are exempt that:

(1) can neither replicate nor generate nucleic acids that can replicate in any living cell (e.g., oligonucleotides or other synthetic nucleic acids that do not contain an origin of replication or contain elements known to interact with either DNA or RNA polymerase), and
(2) are not designed to integrate into DNA, and
(3) do not produce a toxin that is lethal for vertebrates at an LD50 of less than 100 nanograms per kilogram body weight.

An example of an exempt molecule would be research with a synthetic short-interfering RNA (siRNA) that targets an HIV viral protein required for transcription activation, even if this siRNA is injected into animals or used in cell culture.

Procedures:

Prior to the commencement of any project involving the use of such material, the Principal Investigator (PI) must perform the following steps:

Review the applicable guidelines and regulations and become familiar with the biological safety procedures and requirements. These guidelines and regulations include:

the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (full text) (summary)

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) publication entitled Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Labs (full text) (summary)

For new grants/contracts/projects involving the use of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, non-human gene therapy, microorganisms, and/or biological toxins; for grants/contracts involving the transfer of recombinant or synthetic DNA molecules, or DNA or RNA derived from recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, into one or more human research participant, the administration of microorganism/virus administration or toxin administration to humans; and for grants/contracts/projects involving the generation of animals in which the animal's genome will be altered by stable introduction of recombinant DNA, or DNA derived therefrom, into the germ-line or modified to eliminate specific gene(s) (transgenic/knockout animals) where such animals are created in an OUHSC facility, the IBC Biosafety Protocol Form should be completed and submitted. This IBC Biosafety Protocol Form is also required for the mating of two transgenic lines to create a double transgenic. This form is not required for the purchase and/or use of transgenic vertebrate animals when these animals are obtained from a source outside OUHSC/OU-Tulsa. The PI on the grant must provide the electronic signature on the form.

Resubmission or Minor Modifications

If the original protocol was submitted and approved using the old hard copy IBC form within the last three years, the grant is a resubmission to the same or an alternate funding source and the protocol remains unchanged, the Form for Resubmission of an IBC Approved Project or its Submission to a Different Funding Source may be used. Minor modifications (including project location changes) to protocols approved on the old hard copy IBC form that were approved within the last three years may also be submitted on this resubmission form, so long as the modification is described and appropriate changes to SOPs are included.

For significant changes, such as a change in the approved gene, vector, organism, virus or toxin used; biosafety level; NIH classification; or there will be significant changes to the procedures or SOPs to be used, a completed IBC Biosafety Protocol Form must be submitted online.

Investigators may be contacted by the IBC for additional information or clarification regarding the research project. Once approved, the Principal Investigator will receive a letter or an email from the IBC Office indicating approval and an IBC approval number.

Submit a current inventory of organisms/viruses classified as BSL2 and above and biological toxins with an LD50 <100 ug/kg (even if no such materials are under the PI's control) at http://www.ouhsc.edu/ibc/newbiologicalovt/login.asp, and update this inventory at least annually.

Report any significant problems, violations of the NIH Guidelines, or any significant research-related accidents and illnesses to the IBC through the Biological Safety Officer immediately. Examples of situations that need to be reported include any spills or accidents in BL2 laboratories resulting in an overt exposure, spills of high-risk recombinant materials occurring outside of a biosafety cabinet, spills or accidents occurring in BL3 laboratories resulting in an overt or potential exposure, skin punctures with needles containing recombinant DNA, and the escape or improper disposition of a transgenic animal.

Comply with shipping requirements for recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules (contact the Biological Safety Officer for information on these requirements).

IBC approval is grant-specific and is given for the duration of the grant unless a change in any information submitted to the IBC will occur. Minor modifications to approved protocols, such as changes in funding source, project title, or project location, may be submitted on an IBC Form for Resubmission of an IBC Approved Project or Its Submission to a Different Funding Source, so long as the modification is described and appropriate changes to SOPs are also submitted. If a change occurs in any other item(s), such as gene, vector, organism, virus or toxin used; Biosafety level; NIH classification; or any substantive change to the procedures or SOPs to be used, a completed IBC Biosafety Formmust be submitted.

A new IBC Biosafety Form must be completed and submitted for all subsequent competitive renewals.

Training:

The NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) requires OUHSC to provide appropriate training for Principal Investigators (PIs) and laboratory staff regarding laboratory biosafety and implementation of the NIH Guidelines. Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) require training for persons working with infectious materials and toxins. IBC training is found at http://www.ouhsc.edu/ibc/training/default.asp

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Effective January 18, 2008, the IBC will require that all personnel identified on any submitted IBC protocol be current for biosafety training and will hold those IBC protocols until such time as the identified personnel become current. All personnel listed on the protocol must complete the appropriate modules found on the IBC training website.

In addition to this general biosafety training, the NIH requires training on the hazards and safety procedures specific to the project. The IBC requires that the project-specific training for any work performed at biosafety level 2 (BSL2) or above and all toxin work be provided by the PI to all personnel participating in the project. This project-specific training should be documented on the form found at http://www.ouhsc.edu/ibc/forms/soptrainfrm.pdf.

The IBC, through the Biological Safety Officer (BSO), will verify that laboratory facilities to be used in a proposed protocol are sufficient before the protocol is approved. The laboratory will be surveyed periodically by the BSO/Environmental Health and Safety Office to verify continued compliance with safety requirements and sufficient and appropriate laboratory facilities are used. In addition,the BSO reviews renovation and construction plans for laboratory facilities on behalf of the IBC. Any concerns that cannot be resolved are forwarded to the full Committee.

Additional Requirements for Human Protocols:

All Consent Forms for clinical protocols involving gene transfer or the administration of microorganisms, viruses or biological toxins to humans must be reviewed and approved by the IBC. Any changes to approved Consent Forms must also be reviewed and approved by the IBC.

For protocols involving the transfer of recombinant or synthetic DNA molecules, or DNA or RNA derived from recombinant or sythetic nucleic acid molecules, into one or more human research participant, the NIH Guidelines have significant reporting requirements subsequent to the approval process. Appendix M-I-C of the Guidelines (found athttp://osp.od.nih.gov/sites/default/files/NIH_Guidelines.html#_Toc351276401) detail these reports as follows:

Under Appendix M-I-C-1, NIH must be notified no later than 20 working days after enrollment of the first research participant.

Under Appendix M-I-C-2, NIH must be notified to identify OUHSC or OU-Tulsa as an additional clinical trial site.

Under Appendix M-I-C-3, NIH must receive annual reports.

Under Appendix M-I-C-4, NIH must be notified of any serious adverse event that is both unexpected and associated with the use of the gene transfer product (i.e., there is reasonable possibility that the event may have been caused by the use of the product.

It is the PI's responsibility to ensure that these reporting requirements are met and that the OUHSC IBC receives copies of all correspondence and reports in a timely manner. A PI may delegate these reporting responsibilities to the corporate sponsor. However, written notification must be transmitted to the NIH OBA of the delegation and of the name(s), address, telephone and fax numbers of the corporate sponsor's contact person(s), copy the OUHSC IBC, and ensure that the OUHSC IBC receives copies of all such sponsor's reports in a timely manner.

Other Policies:

Beginning February 1, 2014, the IBC will provide oversight of the BSL3 Facility located in the BRC North building. This will include making sure that the policies and procedures for this facility are implemented by the BSL3 Facility Manager, revising policies and procedures as necessary, mediating any issues between users of the facility and the Facility Manager, and recommending sanctions for users not following policies and procedures to the Vice President of Research.

IBC meeting dates are found at http://www.ouhsc.edu/ibc/IBCmeetingdates.asp. IBC meetings are open to the public when possible and consistent with protection of privacy and proprietary interests. For information regarding meeting times and locations, contact Dr. Cheri Marcham at 271-3000 or cheri-marcham@ouhsc.edu. If public comments are made on IBC actions, the IBC Chair will forward both the public comments and IBC’s response to NIH Office of Biotechnology Activities.

All requests made by the public regarding the IBC will be handled by or coordinated with the Open Records Officer or Office of Legal Counsel. When processing such requests, the University reserves the right to redact minutes or other IBC documents that will be made available to the public. Information that might be redacted includes but is not limited to: private information (names, addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses), proprietary information, trade secrets, names of investigators, names of individual reviewers, location of biohazardous agents, and any information that might compromise institutional or national security. The full policy for redaction of minutes may be found here.

Scientific questions or questions about the IBC should be directed to Gillian Air, Ph.D., IBC Chair at 405/217-2227 ext. 61250.
Questions about the process for review, safety issues, or Topaz should be directed to the Biological Safety Officer, Cheri Marcham,
Ph.D., CIH, CSP, CHMM in the Environmental Health and Safety Office at 405/271-3000.

Every effort will be made to update the information contained on these pages as necessary. However, it is the responsibility of the user to determine that he or she is relying on the most current version of any particular information. Any questions about the material should be directed to the referenced office or department.